Storm Shelters

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure describes and underground storm shelter that has a housing with at least one side wall and a floor, and the side wall and the floor create an interior cavity and an opening to the interior cavity. Further, the housing is supported by a frame coupled thereto. Additionally, the underground storm shelter has a door slidably coupled to the frame of the housing that is adapted to cover a first portion of the opening and to allow ingress to the interior cavity through the first portion of the opening. The underground storm shelter also has a hatch hingedly coupled to the frame of the housing that is adapted to cover a second portion of the opening a hydraulic system coupled to a first end of the hatch that is adapted to hingedly lift the hatch to expose the second portion of the opening for allowing egress from the interior cavity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/834,962 entitled “Storm Shelters and Methods,” filed Jun. 14, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

A storm shelter is often used at a residence to protect occupants in the storm shelter from the dangers of severe weather, including storms exhibiting strong, violent winds and/or tornadic activity. In storms exhibiting strong, violent winds and/or tornadic activity, debris that is thrown about is dangerous, and sometimes deadly, and storm shelters are configured to protect individuals from the debris.

Most storm shelters are installed near the residence, and most are installed underground. A typical storm shelter has a hatch that enables individuals to enter the storm shelter prior to the storm and exit the storm shelter once the dangers associated with the storm have passed.

During a storm, debris that has been thrown about by the winds may land on the hatch that allows egress from the safety of the storm shelter. In light of this, some storm shelters have angled hatches that allow debris to be blown such that it does not block the occupants' ability to open the hatch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Furthermore, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary storm shelter in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a cutaway side view of the storm shelter depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the storm shelter depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary hatch depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a coupler depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway end view of the storm shelter in FIG. 1 showing an exemplary hatch end of the storm shelter.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway top view of the storm shelter depicted in FIG. 1 when a slidable door is opened for entering.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a latch for a slidable door of the storm shelter depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a ratchet stop of the storm shelter depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8B is a side view of the ratchet stop depicted in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is another side view of the ratchet stop depicted in FIG. 8C.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a hydraulic cylinder of the storm shelter depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a latch of the storm shelter depicted in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally pertain to storm shelters. A storm shelter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to allow efficient entrance into and exit from the safety of an interior cavity of the storm shelter. The storm shelter comprises a hydraulic lift system that is configured to actuate a hatch once a storm has passed so that occupants in the storm shelter can exit easily if there is debris covering the hatch that would otherwise not allow the occupants to exit via a manually actuated hatch.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a storm shelter 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The storm shelter 10 comprises a housing 11, a sliding door 60, and a hatch 12.

The housing 11 comprises four side walls 56-59 and a floor 63 (FIG. 1B). The exemplary housing 11 depicted in FIG. 1A is a rectangular prism. However, other shapes are possible in other embodiments. For example, the housing 11 may be, for example, a spherical housing or a cubical housing. Note that the exemplary housing 11 comprises the four side walls 56-59; however, in the embodiment wherein the housing is spherical, there is one contiguous side wall. Thus, in accordance with the disclosure, there may be only one side wall. In this regard, the shape of the housing 11 is for exemplary purposes only and is not intended to be limiting.

In one embodiment, the housing 11 is made of 11-gague steel. However, other materials and thicknesses may be used in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Note that the housing 11 protects an interior chamber 40, which is described further herein. In this regard, an occupant may enter the interior cavity 40 through the sliding door 60 and exit from the interior chamber 40 through either the hatch 12 or the sliding door 60.

Note that FIG. 1A shows the hatch 12 and the sliding door 50 in open positions. However, when in use the occupants close the sliding door 60 and the hatch 12 to closed positions, which is shown in FIG. 1B.

In this regard, the hatch 12 and the sliding door 60 protect the interior cavity 40 by covering an opening 66 of the storm shelter 11. The hatch 12 covers a portion of an opening 66 to the interior cavity 40, and the sliding door 60 covers another separate portion of the opening 66. In one embodiment, the sliding door 60 and the hatch 12 may overlap at side centers of the storm shelter 11.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the hatch 12 covers roughly half of the opening 66, and the sliding door 60 covers the other half of the opening 66. Note that in other embodiments of the disclosure the hatch 12 may cover a greater or lesser portion of the opening 66, and the sliding door 60 may cover a lesser or greater portion, respectively, of the opening 66. For example, the hatch 12 may cover roughly three-quarters of the opening 66, while the sliding door 60 may cover one-quarter of the opening 66.

Notably, the hatch 12 and sliding door 60 operate independently from one another. In this regard, the hatch 12 is pivotally and liftably coupled to the housing 11, and can be opened when the sliding door 60 is closed. Also, when the hatch 12 is in a closed position, the sliding door 60 can be opened.

In one embodiment, a coupled end 15 of the hatch 12 is hingedly and/or rotatably coupled to side centers of a frame 16 of the housing 11. Furthermore, a free end 17 of the hatch 12 is pivotally coupled to two ends of pistons 13, 14, which is described further herein. The pistons 13, 14 are further coupled at an opposing end to respective hydraulic cylinders 42, 43, and the hydraulic cylinders 42, 43 are coupled to the interior cavity 40 of the storm shelter 11, which is described further herein.

The sliding door 60 is slidably coupled to the frame 16, which is described further herein. In this regard, the sliding door 60 may be slidably moved in a +/−z direction as indicated by reference arrow 67. When the sliding door 60 is in a closed position, a latching bar 71 releasably couples the sliding door 60 to the frame 16.

During operation or use, an individual(s) (not shown) enters the interior cavity 40 of the housing 11 via the opening 66. In this regard, the individual may slide the sliding door 60 in the −z direction exposing a portion of the opening 66 and creating an ingress.

Once the individual is situated in the interior cavity 40, the individual slides the sliding door 60 in the +z direction to cover the portion of the opening exposed. Further, the individual couples the sliding door 60 closed via a latching bar 71. Note that while FIG. 1A depicts the hatch 12 and sliding door 60 in open positions, during use when there is still risk of injury, the hatch 12 and the sliding door 60 are in closed positions and latched. FIG. 1B depict the hatch 12 and the sliding door 60 in closed positions.

Once the risk of injury has passed, the individual within the interior cavity 40 can exit the through the opening 66 of the interior cavity 40 of the storm shelter 10 by opening the sliding door 60. In this regard, from within the interior cavity, the individual slides the sliding door 60 in the −z direction and exits the storm shelter 11.

Notably, however, if debris (not shown) has fallen and is resting on top of the storm shelter 10, it may be difficult, if not impossible, for individuals to actuate the sliding door 60. Thus, the individual may also exit the interior cavity 40 through the portion of the opening 66 covered by the hatch 12. In this regard, the individual actuates the hydraulic cylinders 43, 43. The hydraulic cylinders 42, 43 operate to lift the hatch 12 by actuating the pistons 13, 14 that are coupled to the hatch 12. The hatch 12 lifts and pivots about the side centers to which the hatch 12 is coupled. Once the pistons 13, 14 operate to lift the hatch 12, the individual within the interior cavity 40 may exit via the portion of the opening 66 covered by the hatch 12.

FIG. 1B is a side cutaway view of the storm shelter 10 depicted in FIG. 1A when the storm shelter 10 is installed. The storm shelter 10 shown in FIG. 1B is installed within ground 52 such that the storm shelter 10 is flush with a top surface 53 of the ground 52.

As described hereinabove, the individual enters the interior cavity 40 through the opening 66 by sliding the sliding door 60 thereby creating an entrance into the interior cavity 40. The individual proceeds to the floor 63 of the storm shelter 10 by traversing downward a set of stairs 65. Once the individual has closed the sliding door 60 and advanced to the floor 63, the individual may sit on one or more benches 50, 51.

Note that in FIG. 1B the bench 50 is shown as extending adjacent side wall 59, and the bench 51 is shown as extending adjacent side wall 58. However, additional or fewer benches may be installed in other areas of the storm shelter 10 in other embodiments. For example, as will be described further herein, there may also be a bench extending adjacent side wall 57 (FIG. 1A).

Note that FIG. 1B shows hydraulic cylinder 43 coupled to the piston 14. Further, the hydraulic cylinder 43 is coupled to the side wall 58. Note that while FIG. 1B does not specifically show hydraulic cylinder 42 (FIG. 1A) coupled to the piston 13, the hydraulic cylinder 42 is also coupled to the side wall 58.

As noted hereinabove, FIG. 1B shows the hatch 12 and the sliding door 60 in closed positions. In this regard, the free end 17 is completely flush with a top edge of the frame 16. Further, the sliding door 60 is closed such that the opening 66 is completely covered.

The storm shelter 10 further comprises a set of bearings 62. The sliding door 60 rests on the bearings 62. The bearings 62 interface with a bottom surface of the sliding door 60 and effectuate the sliding movement of the sliding door 60, as described with reference to FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional cutaway view a hatch end of the storm shelter 10. Note that the “hatch end” means that end of the storm shelter 10 that is covered by the hatch 12. In FIG. 2, the hatch 12 is shown in the open position.

As noted hereinabove, the free end 17 (FIG. 1A) of the hatch 12 angularly opens through rotation of the coupled end 15 (FIG. A) tilting upward from the housing 11 via actuation of the pistons 13, 14 by the hydraulic cylinders 42, 43. When the hatch 12 is fully lifted, i.e., the pistons 13, 14 fully actuated, occupants within the interior cavity 40 of the housing 11 may exit the storm shelter 10.

FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the free end 17 of the hatch 12. As described hereinabove, the pistons 13, 14 are coupled to the free end 17 of the hatch 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the pistons 13, 14 are rotatably coupled to the hatch via couplers 20, 21, respectively. Coupler 21 is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4; however, the couplers 20, 21 are substantially similar.

With respect to FIG. 3, note that the housing 11, including the hatch 12, may comprise a plurality of openings 25 that enable air to enter the interior cavity 40 (FIG. 1A) of the storm shelter 10 when the hatch 12 and sliding door 60 (FIG. 1A) are closed. Further note that a vent cover 26 may be installed over the openings 25 to ensure that debris does not enter the interior cavity during hazardous conditions.

Further, the housing 11 (FIG. 1A) may have other openings on other portions. When such openings are provided, other vents may also be used to interface with the other openings so as to prevent debris from undesirably entering the interior cavity of the storm shelter 10.

FIG. 4 depicts a detailed cutaway view of one of the couplers 20. With respect to FIG. 4, the piston 14 terminates with a forked connector 23. In this regard, the piston 14 is either integral with or connected to the forked connector 23. The forked connector 23 comprises two legs 30, 31. Each of the legs 30, 31 comprises a bore (not shown). A base member 22 of the coupler 20 is fixedly coupled to an inside surface 33 of the hatch 12.

The coupler 20 further comprises a cylindrical rod 24 that is fixedly received via a bore (not shown) in the base member 22 and protrudes from either side of a base member 22. The bores in the legs 30, 31 of the forked connecter 23 receive the protruding ends of the cylindrical rod 24 and are rotatably retained thereon. Thus, as the piston 14 is urged upward by its corresponding hydraulic cylinder 42 (FIG. 1A), the forked connector 23 rotates about the cylindrical rod 24 thereby allowing the hatch 12 to move upward by the force exerted by the piston 14.

As indicated hereinabove, the coupler 20 behaves substantially similar to the coupler 21. Thus, as both pistons 13, 14 are urged upward, the hatch 12 is pushed open by the interaction of the pistons 13, 14 with the couplers 20, 21, respectively.

FIG. 5 shows a cutaway view of the hatch end of the storm shelter 10. FIG. 5 as identified herein. The interior cavity 40 is a substantially enclosed space with an air venting and circulation system. Note that in the present embodiment, a fan 41 is used for air circulation in addition to the openings 25 (FIG. 3).

The storm shelter 10 comprises a hydraulic system comprising the hydraulic cylinders 42, 43 which couple to the pistons 13, 14, respectively. Tanks (not shown) storing fluid interface with the hoses 46, 47 to deliver fluid to the hydraulic cylinders 42, 43.

The system further comprises a power button 48 that when depressed actuates the pistons 13, 14 through the hydraulic system thus raising the hatch 12. When the hatch 12 is raised, occupants of the interior cavity 12 may exit the storm shelter 10.

Further, the storm shelter 10 within the interior cavity 40 comprises the plurality the benches 50, 51 and a bench 98. Occupants of the storm shelter 10 may rest on the benches 50, 51, 98 during a storm from which the storm shelter 10 is protecting them.

FIG. 6 further shows the interior cavity 40 from the sliding door end of the storm shelter 10. In this regard, the storm shelter 10 further comprises the sliding door 60 and the stairs 65, as described hereinabove. The sliding door 60 that is retractable to an open position as is shown with reference to FIG. 6, as described hereinabove. When in the open position, individuals can enter through a portion of the opening 66 created in the housing 11 when the sliding door 60 is retracted and descend into the interior cavity 40 via the stairs 65.

Note that the housing 11 comprises a plurality of bearings 62 that interface with the sliding door 60. In this regard, as one slides the door 60, the bearings 62 facilitate movement from a closed position to the open position shown and vice versa. Further note that the sliding door 60 comprises the latch 71 that couples with an opening in the frame 16 in order to secure the sliding door 60 when it is in the closed position.

FIG. 7 shows the latch 71. In an exemplary embodiment, the latch 71 comprises a latch bar 61 and a spring 70. To couple the latch 71 to the frame 16, the occupant pushes upward on the latch bar 71 in a direction indicated by arrow 75 thereby depressing the spring 70, inserts the latch bar 71 into an opening (not shown) or an edge (not shown) of the frame 16, and releases. The downward force exerted by the spring 70 when the latch bar 61 is released retains the sliding door 60 in its closed position.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 9 show an additional safety feature relative to the piston 14 and the hydraulic cylinder 43. In this regard, the following discussion is relative to piston 14 and hydraulic cylinder 43; however, a substantially similar safety mechanism could also be employed for piston 13 and hydraulic cylinder 23.

FIG. 8A is an exemplary embodiment of a ratchet strap 80 that operates to ensure that the hatch 12 does not fall during use and injure an occupant of the interior chamber 40 (FIG. 1A). The ratchet strap 80 is installed on the hatch end of the storm shelter 10 (FIG. 1A).

In this regard, a stop 82, such as a bolt or screw, is attached to an inner wall 84 of the housing 11. Further, the ratchet strap 80 is rotatably connected to the coupler 20 that is fixedly coupled to the free end 17 (FIG. 1A) of the hatch 12. The ratchet strap 80 comprises a plurality of angled slots 81. When the hatch 12 is in an open position, as shown, one of the slots 81 receives the stop 82, thereby retaining the hatch 12 safely in the open position.

FIG. 8B shows a side view of the coupler 20 coupled to the ratchet strap 80. In this regard, the ratchet strap 80 is rotatably coupled to the coupler 20 via a bolt 200. Further, the ratchet stop 80 is coupled to the surface 33 of the hatch 12 via a spring 201.

FIG. 8C depicts another side view of the coupler 20 coupled to the ratchet strap 80. Notably, the ratchet strap 80 is integrally formed with a sleeve 203. The sleeve 203 receives the cylindrical rod 24. The cylindrical rod extends through a bore (not shown) in the ratchet strap 80 and is rotatably coupled to the ratchet strap 80 via the bolt 200 (FIG. 8B).

During operation, the ratchet strap 80 is retained by the stop 82 so that the hatch remains in an open position. To lower the hatch 12, an occupant (not shown) may apply an upward force on the hatch 12 so that the ratchet strap 80 is decoupled from the stop 82. The spring 201 operates to apply a force in a direction shown by reference arrow 206 to urge the ratchet strap 80 in the direction indicated by the reference arrow 206.

FIG. 9 depicts the piston 14 coupled to the hatch 12 when the hatch 12 is in the open position. When in the open position, the hydraulic cylinder 43 may be at rest, i.e., no longer providing additional fluid, and therefore additional pressure, such as when the hatch 12 is being lifted. Note that FIG. 9 depicts the ratchet strap 80 having its angled slots 81, wherein one of the angled slots 81 receives stop 82. Note that the ratchet strap 81 is positioned adjacent the piston 14 and is coupled to the coupler 20.

FIG. 10 is shows an exemplary latch 1202 that may be used with the storm shelter 10 (FIG. 1) to retain either or both the hatch 12 and/or the sliding door 60 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In this regard, one or more retaining receptacles 1201 may be formed into the inner upper edge of the housing 11 adjacent the hatch 12 and/or the sliding door 60. The number of receptacles 1201 and latches 1202 employed may vary in other embodiments.

The latch 1202 comprises a main body 1205 that is integrally formed with a handle 1200. The handle 1200 may be rotated and pressure applied thereto to move the main body 1205 of the latch out of the receptacle 1201. One may apply pressure in an opposing direction and move the main body 1205 via the handle 1200 so that a portion of the main body 1205 is retained in the receptacle 1202. Thus, when the hatch 12 and/or the sliding door 60 are closed, the latch 1200 may be used to retain the hatch 12 and/or the sliding door 60 in the closed position. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An underground storm shelter, comprising: a housing comprising at least one side wall and a floor, the side wall and the floor creating an interior cavity and an opening to the interior cavity, the housing further supported by a frame; a door slidably coupled to the frame of the housing that is adapted to cover a first portion of the opening, the door further adapted for allowing ingress to the interior cavity through the first portion of the opening when the door is actuated; a hatch hingedly coupled to the frame of the housing that is adapted to cover a second portion of the opening; and a hydraulic system coupled to a first end of the hatch and to an inside surface of the interior cavity, the hydraulic system adapted to hingedly lift the hatch to expose the second portion of the opening for allowing egress from the interior cavity when the hydraulic system is actuated.
 2. The underground storm shelter of claim 1, wherein the housing is rectangular prism shaped.
 3. The underground storm shelter of claim 1, wherein the housing is spherically shaped.
 4. The underground storm shelter of claim 1, wherein the slidable door and the hatch over lap at a center side point of the frame.
 5. The underground storm shelter of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic system comprises at least two hydraulic cylinders coupled to an inside surface of the side wall.
 6. The underground storm shelter of claim 5, wherein the hydraulic cylinders are slidably coupled to two pistons, respectively.
 7. The underground storm shelter of claim 6, wherein the hydraulic system comprises a controller coupled to the hydraulic cylinders for controlling opening and closing of the hatch.
 8. The underground storm shelter of claim 1, further comprising a ratchet strap coupled on a first end to a member of the hydraulic system and on a second end to a stop mounted on an inside wall of the interior cavity, the ratchet strap comprising a plurality of angled slots for receiving the stop.
 9. The underground storm shelter of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of stairs descending from the first portion of the opening. 